Killington Resort

Closed
Heather Burke
SnowPak Local Insider
Heather Burke
Pros
  • Beyond skiing, Killington offers other activities such as snowmobile tours and tubing
  • Great for intermediate and advanced skiers who seek challenging glades and mogul trails
  • One of the best ski resort in Vermont for nightlife
Cons
  • Difficult to navigate the mountain’s trail and lift layout

Overall

4.5

Nicknamed the Beast of the East, Killington is not only the biggest in Vermont but also eastern North America. A wide variety of terrain spreads across seven peaks and extensive snowmaking makes it a great option for skiers and snowboarders. Being big isn't its only drawcard, the resort also has the longest ski season in Vermont, often from October to May!

Best month to go

Mid-January to Mid-March

Killington in January is generally colder while February and early March serve up the best chance of the great snow.

FLY TO

Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport

DRIVE TO

Killington Resort (30 minutes)

Killington (1-5 mi)

  • Most accommodation along Killington Road
  • Most convenient location to slopes and dining and nightlife options
  • Some lodging close to slopes but most a short bus ride away

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Pico Mountain (Walk)

  • Condos and hotels close to Pico Mountain lifts
  • Cheaper lodging than Killington
  • A bus ride away from Killington slopes

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Rutland (10-15 mi)

  • Affordable lodging compared to Killington and Pico Mountain
  • 25 minute drive to Killington Resort
  • Variety of grocery stores and shopping

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Woodstock (15-20 mi)

  • 35 minutes drive away
  • Range of local shops and charming atmosphere
  • Ideal for couples

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For beginners

Beginners will have plenty to choose from with green trails across the whole resort. For never-evers, the Snowshed and Ramshead are beginner areas are perfect for learning on. Our favorite for beginners though is Great Eastern. It has the most vertical here (2,552 ft) winding from the top of Skye Peak all the way down to the Skyeship base!

For intermediates

With blue trails running everywhere, intermediates are quite spoilt for choice at Killington. Snowdon Mountain has quite a few good intermediate runs while Skyelark to High Road and onto Bittersweet is our top run! Our ultimate ski area for intermediates though is at Pico Mountain. There are less crowds, longer trails and the terrain is more suitable for intermediates.

For experts

Advanced and Experts won't have any problems finding fun and challenging runs here! Head up to Killington Peak and the top of K-1 Express for some of the best expert terrain including steep bowl which has trees. Our favorite trails though include The Jug, Jug Handle and Breakway. These black diamonds see less traffic as it's in a relatively secluded section of the mountain, plus the snow here is better!

Find freshies

As the saying in the East goes "The goods are in the woods". Freshies are usually found in glades such as Big Dipper and Julio where the wind blows the powder into the trees. Glades are usually rated for advanced and experts so they don't get tracked out as quickly, plus the snow usually stays fresh even days after a storm.

Ditch the crowds

Unless it's very early or very late it's best to avoid the long lift queues at the K-1 Express and the Ramshead Express Quad on busy weekends. Instead of the K-1 Express, take the Snowdon Triple, ski down Killink and then hop aboard the North Ridge Triple, It'll get you close to the slopes off K-1 Express.

Non skiers

The Beast of the East is well known for its fantastic skiing but other than that, non-skiers might find themselves quite bored here. Besides the few winter activities here (snowshoeing, tubing, snowmobiling etc), there isn't much for non-skiers to do at Killington.

Families

The beginner terrain at the connected Snowshed and Ramshead base areas are the best spots for families. Ramshead is also the base for ski lessons and child care. There are also fun winter activities for the whole family to enjoy such as tubing and riding the Beast Mountain Coaster.

Save up to 38% when you book a Killington Resort package!

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Killington Resort Reviews

Very Good 4.2 / 5
based on 77 reviews

How well the resort caters for beginner skiers / boarders

Beginners

How well the resort caters for intermediate skiers / boarders?

Intermediates

How well the resort caters for advanced skiers / boarders

Advanced

How accessible and convenient it is to get to this resort from a major destination

Accessibility

Quality of the off-piste terrain

Side/Backcountry

Overall value for money of the resort

Value for money

Quality of lifts, lift speed and lift layout in the resort

Lifts

Quantity and quality of the snow

Snow

How uncrowded is the resort

Uncrowded

Après ski and dining options

Town

Services and facilities e.g. child care, tubing, health care, equipment hire

Facilities

How family friendly is this resort?

Family Friendliness
Very Good!4.1 / 5Nov 20, 2017
ARAnthony R.
intermediate snowboarder
Great place to go with friends. Id rather Spend a couple days at the biggest mountain in the east than any other resort east of NY. Even during mild winters the conditions are great.... More
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Nov 20, 2017
TMTaylor M.
intermediate snowboarder
Im a 25 year old student from North New Jersey. We dont have the greatest mountains right next to us but a short 4 hour drive north to killington resort in Vermont always gets the job done. This is one of if not the largest mountain resort on the east and closest to the metropolitan cities. I personally love the mountain because regardless if its a... More
Good!3.9 / 5Nov 20, 2017
DWDan W.
advanced skier
Great time had by all. I can't wait to bring my family up there for my daughter first time. She is will love it. Their ski in and ski out is set the way to go...it was the best last time ... More
Good!3.9 / 5Nov 11, 2017
DFJDonald F. Jr
intermediate snowboarder
Make a trip or 2 up there every year. If I would win this pass I would be up there way more often. Great mountain, has everything I need to ride and great shops. People are well trained and very nice ... More
Very Good!4 / 5Nov 09, 2017
JWJusheng W.
intermediate snowboarder
Very excited for coming season! I saw the first day LIVE in killington resort, that was remarkable! Can't wait to go to snowboard there! Looking for ward to spending time in the snow heaven! ... More
Average!3.5 / 5Nov 08, 2017
KBKenan B.
advanced snowboarder
Killington is an amazing resort for those in the tri-state looking to escape and hit some gorgeous groomers. Snow making is the name of the game on the East coast and Killington sports the finest. They get their guns started early,and go well in to April. The grounds crew does a phenomenal job keeping the mountain in pristine shape all season... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5Nov 07, 2017
VKVlad K.
advanced skier
Killington is excellent for early season and late season and everything in between. Guys are doing a very good job making and maintaining snow in difficult north eastern conditions. Always a good time apres skiing too. ... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5Nov 07, 2017
FCJFunzie C. Jr
expert skier
Varied terrain for all ability levels. Good food and apres ski for all ages, individuals,groups,families. Long season with good grooming.Good tree skiing without much snow - really good with lots of snow... More
Very Good!4 / 5Nov 07, 2017
JSJonathan S.
advanced skier
With the ultimate variety of terrain, you'll never get bored of the beast of the east. It's a must visit location for all east coast skiers. From miles and miles of greens to wild double black diamonds, this place has it all while boasting the longest season in the region. Check it out! ... More
Good!3.5 / 5Nov 07, 2017
AAdam
expert skier
Killington is a great mountain for the East. Living on Long Island it is the best major ski area within a reasonable driving distance. True Expert runs Great Woods and when they do get hit with snow It can be almost as good as out west. Great places on access road. If they build a real village that would be a huge plus. Only negative weekends... More